The editorial staff of The Chronicle has elected junior Alex Garinger to serve as the newspaper's editor for its 99th year of publication.
At a meeting Friday afternoon, Garinger, now the newspaper's University editor, was named editor of The Chronicle and president of Duke Student Publishing Company, Inc., the independent corporation responsible for publishing the campus' student-run daily newspaper.
Garinger will succeed senior Dave Ingram for a one-year term beginning May 11.
As editor, Garinger will determine the newspaper's content and lead a staff of more than 100 student volunteer reporters, editors, photographers and layout designers.
His responsibilities as DSPC president will include preserving the corporation's dual mission of providing journalism opportunities for Duke students and delivering information to the community.
In his speech, Garinger offered the staff an ambitious agenda that includes updating the newspaper's design, expanding staff training and incorporating greater narrative voice into The Chronicle, Recess and TowerView.
"As The Chronicle enters its 99th year of publication, we need to bring a new sense of ambition and risk-taking to the creation of a paper that our readers will see as more personal, visually appealing and provocative," he told the staff. "It is time to push the envelope."
Garinger said a redesign of The Chronicle is essential to making the newspaper more accessible to readers. He hopes to organize a design team that will promote fresh layouts and coordinate the daily interplay of stories, photographs and graphics.
During his term as University editor of the 98th volume, Garinger helped lead a staff of nine associate editors through extensive coverage of Duke affairs. Staffers report that Garinger has been an enthusiastic, dedicated leader with an endless source of fresh ideas.
Garinger began his career at The Chronicle as a reporter for the University department during the first semester of his freshman year.
He then served as an associate wire editor the second semester of his freshman year before moving to the University department in his sophomore year, working as an associate editor. He also served as an associate film editor for Recess that year.
One month after his February 2002 election, Ingram appointed Garinger University editor.
Hailing from Greenwich, Conn., Garinger is a literature major and plans to earn certificates in journalism and film and video. After graduation, he intends to pursue a career in journalism, film or theater.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.